The Mumbai police are currently holding bookie Anil Jaisinghani until March 27 in connection with the FIR filed by Fadnavis alleging extortion. Anil Jaisinghani, the bookie accused in the case registered on the complaint of Amruta Fadnavis, the wife of Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, has petitioned the Bombay High Court for the case to be dismissed.
The petition filed by attorney Manan Sanghai stated that Singhani was unlawfully detained and should be released immediately, as well as the remand order issued by the sessions court should be vacated. The petition for immediate relief was presented to a divided bench of Justices GS Kulkarni and RN Laddha on Thursday. The probable date of the hearing is March 27.
On February 20, the Malabar Hill police station filed a first information report (FIR) against Singhani and his daughter Aniksha Singhani for allegedly threatening to release audio and video clips purportedly showing Fadnavis accepting favours from Aniksha.
According to the complaint, Aniksha befriended and gained Amruta’s trust over the past few months. Aniksha allegedly also asked Amruta to help clear her father’s name, but Amruta denied her request. A few days later, Aniksha allegedly sent recordings to Amruta in an attempt to blackmail her, prompting the filing of a formal complaint.
Jaisinghani has been charged with violations of the Indian Penal Code’s Section 120B (criminal conspiracy) and Section 385 (extortion), as well as the Prevention of Corruption Act’s Sections 8 (induce public servant using corrupt means) and 12 (abetment). Jaisinghani asserted that the arrest violated Sections 41 and 41A of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), which outline the arrest procedure.
“Merely stating in the order that there is due compliance of CrPC is not sufficient in view of the guidelines laid down by the Supreme Court. It is not an empty formality. The onus of recording satisfaction, as already stated, not only lies on the Investigating Officer but even on the remanding judge,” the petition said.
Jaisinghani claimed he was arrested on March 19 for blackmailing Amruta Fadnavis and attempting to extort 10 crores from her. However, according to the prosecution, Jaisinghani was arrested on March 20 and brought before the sessions court on March 23. He was ordered to remain in police custody until March 27.
Meanwhile, his daughter was arrested on March 16 and held in police custody until March 23. In their petition, the petitioners asked the court to issue an order declaring their detention to be “illegal” and a violation of the fundamental rights that are guaranteed by the constitution.
